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HE IS RISEN    

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE - SUMMARY 21 APRIL 2019 - CHRIS KHOURY

 

If you were to visit Jerusalem today, one of the most popular places to visit would be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It has been identified as the place of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

 

It is a place of pilgrimage for many Christians of all denominations. It is a moving place to visit - this church was built over Golgotha (the place of the crucifixion and over the site said to be the tomb of Jesus and thus the place of the resurrection) and it now sits inside the walls of Jerusalem.

 

Jerusalem is a city considered holy by Christians, Jews and Muslims.

 

The western wall (the last remnant of the second temple) is considered the most holy site in Judaism. Jews from all over the world pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pray at what is called the “wailing wall”.

 

Also in Jerusalem not far away is the Dome of the Rock. A sacred place for Muslims. It sits atop where the Hall of Solomon once stood. It is the oldest Islamic shrine and is part of the Al Aksa Mosque. Muslims trace their heritage back to Ismael the son of Ibrahim. (Abraham to us).

 

So we see three of the major word religions refer to Jerusalem as the Holy City. But only Christianity acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah. The Saviour. It is no wonder that as Jesus walked down the mount of Olives on his last trip into the city he stopped and wept. He knew he was going to the cross but his tears were not for himself, it was for the city and what it stood for. But here is Good News! Jesus was resurrected! (John 20:1-18)

 

JOHN 20:1-18 The Empty Tomb

 

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalen went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

 

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

 

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

 

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

 

Jesus is Lord of all. He was resurrected for all and that is what we celebrate today. Not just because he was resurrected for you and me but because he was resurrected for every believer and non-believer. For every slave and free man - for Christians, Jews, Gentiles, Muslims, sinners and saints. Jesus died for all and was resurrected for all. Why? Why would God allow Jesus to die for all those who do not even acknowledge his presence?

 

Because he loves all his children. Easter reminds us that Jesus, the Son of God - our Redeemer and Savior - went to the cross for all and was resurrected for all.

 

(Acts 10:34-43)

The sad truth is that this message of peace is not well received by all people. In the Holy Land each group believes that they have the cornerstone on truth and because of this they think themselves as being superior to other groups. Even among Christians their is competition. Which denomination has the best understanding of theology or the most accurate interpretation of the Word.

 

This means that they still do not get the message. Easter changed everything! Jesus died for all, was raised for all and is Lord of all.

 

So with this understanding let’s take some time to consider what it means. I would like to ask you a few questions and I want you to give me some answers. What does it mean, “Jesus is Lord of all whether they realize it or not?” If you truly believe that Jesus died for all and was resurrected for all:

 

1. does it change the way you view Jesus?

Is he foolish?

Do you have more respect for his sacrifice?

2. does it change the way you look at yourself?

Your sins?

The trust you have in Jesus?

3. does it change your perception of other people?

See them as sheep without a shepard?

See them and us?

Do you see sinners or potential brothers and sisters in the K of G.?

Are you less judgmental?

Do you have more compassion for others?

 

HE IS RISEN: Greet each other with this message. Give a hug, receive a hug.

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